Development of a Novel Control Surface and Actuation System for High Lift-to-Drag Vehicles Using the Rapid Hypersonic Yaw Maneuver Evaluation Framework (RHYME)

In this Phase II effort, and in collaboration with the vehicle prime contractor, we propose to design, build, and plan for integration of advanced control surfaces for high lift-to-drag (L/D) hypersonic vehicles to enable fast yaw maneuvers. To meet this objective, we will initially focus on development and validation of a modeling and simulation framework, called Rapid Hypersonic Yaw Maneuver Evaluation (RHYME) for the assessment and optimization of these innovative aerodynamic hypersonic control concepts toward their ability to reduce the time constants of yaw maneuvers. Within this framework, initial candidate designs are defined, aerodynamic databases are generated, and the maneuverability efficiencies of these concepts are evaluated by assessing the aerodynamic performance through trajectory analysis. In Phase I, the principal workflow was established, a preliminary experimental setup for hypersonic testing was defined, and a preliminary optimization study was performed. Also, an initial integration concept for the down-selected designs was presented. Efforts in Phase II will include full six degrees of freedom (6DoF) guidance navigation and control (GNC) simulations coupled with CFD Research’s in-house Multi-objective Surrogate-assisted Evolutionary Algorithms for Guided Weapon Design (MEADOW). Optimization objectives in Phase II include minimizing the maneuver time, drag, and volume/mass of the additional control surfaces while maximizing the available kinetic energy and range of the vehicle. The aerodynamic predictions of the framework will be anchored and validated by hypersonic high-enthalpy experiments also executed in Phase II. Testing will occur across a range of Mach numbers and altitudes, with the ability to assess high-enthalpy effects on flow transition and separation in the vicinity of the control surfaces. Starting in Phase II and continuing into beyond-Phase II and Phase III efforts, we will work on maturing the design to enable integration into a full guidance, navigation, and control system solution, also in collaboration with the vehicle prime contractor. Approved for Public Release | 25-MDA-12052 (27 Mar 25)